Tamil Nadu Unveils State Policy for School Education, CM Stalin Reaffirms Two-Language Formula

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin has launched the State Policy for School Education, a roadmap aimed at improving access, equity, and quality in school education while upholding the state’s two-language formula. The policy lays out plans for curriculum reforms, infrastructure upgrades, teacher training, and technology integration in classrooms. I am writing about this because

I am writing about this because the policy is not just an education document but a statement of Tamil Nadu’s stand on language and learning. The two-language formula—Tamil and English—has long been part of the state’s identity and political history. By reaffirming it, the government is resisting the push for the three-language policy proposed in the National Education Policy 2020. This is important to understand because language policy directly influences cultural preservation, student performance, and future opportunities. Alongside language, the state has also set clear targets for improving school facilities, digital learning tools, and teacher capacity. It is a comprehensive vision that affects not just students but the future workforce, making it relevant for educators, parents, and policymakers.

Main Goals of the Policy

The State Policy for School Education has been developed after consultations with educationists, teachers, parents, and child rights experts. Its main focus areas include:

Ensuring free, equitable, and inclusive education for all children from preschool to higher secondary
Strengthening government school infrastructure with better classrooms, laboratories, and libraries
Introducing technology-based learning resources for both teachers and students
Expanding vocational education options from middle school onwards
Improving teacher training programmes and continuous skill development

Reaffirming the Two-Language Formula

One of the most notable parts of the announcement was CM Stalin’s clear stand on the two-language policy—Tamil and English—as the medium of instruction in schools. This policy has been in place for decades and is deeply tied to Tamil Nadu’s political stance against the imposition of Hindi. By reiterating it, the government is sending a strong message about protecting linguistic identity while ensuring students are proficient in a global language.

How This Differs from the National Education Policy

While the National Education Policy 2020 promotes a three-language formula that usually includes Hindi, Tamil Nadu’s new state policy adapts the NEP framework to local needs without compromising its cultural and linguistic priorities. It focuses on strengthening the state curriculum while aligning with global best practices in learning outcomes.

Implementation Plans

The policy rollout will happen in phases. In the first stage, priority will be given to upgrading infrastructure in rural and under-resourced schools. Teacher training centres will receive more funding, and digital learning content will be prepared in Tamil to make lessons engaging and easy to grasp. Special attention will also be given to early childhood care and education, bridging gaps in preschool access.

Phase	Focus Area	Timeline
Phase 1	Infrastructure & Teacher Training	2025–27
Phase 2	Curriculum & Vocational Programmes	2027–29
Phase 3	Full Tech Integration & Review	2029–30

Why This Matters for Students and Parents

For students, the two-language formula means they can learn in their mother tongue while mastering English for higher studies and employment. For parents, it offers reassurance that their children will not be burdened with an extra compulsory language. The broader reforms promise better learning environments, more career-ready skills, and a system that values both tradition and innovation.

Why Delhi’s New School Fee Bill Puts Education Before Profit

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has unveiled the ‘Delhi School Education Transparency in Fixation and Regulation of Fees Bill, 2025’, making it clear that education is not meant to be a commercial venture. I’m writing about this because education affects every family in Delhi—and when school fees rise without checks, it becomes a burden that

I’m writing about this because education affects every family in Delhi—and when school fees rise without checks, it becomes a burden that many parents struggle to bear. This new legislation stands out as a public stand with parents, not institutions. It brings much-needed transparency and oversight to private school fee hikes, a topic that’s been fraught with unregulated increases for years. For families, educators, and policymakers, this signals a shift toward fairness and accountability in education. Highlighting the key features of the bill and its impact helps all of us understand how schools should truly serve students, not profits.

What the Bill Brings to the Table

Transparent Fee Approvals: Now, all unaided private schools—wherever they are located—must get government approval before raising fees. Previously, only those on government-allocated land were covered.
Regulatory Mechanism: A three-tier system of committees will assess and approve fee hikes, ensuring they’re justified, fair, and transparent.
Penalties for Violations: Schools that bypass the process or charge arbitrary hikes will face strict penalties, reinforcing accountability.

A Departure from Past Practices

Delhi’s AAP government had little success with enforcing fee regulation despite court rulings. Now, the BJP administration has chosen to back parents directly. CM Gupta noted that this is the first time a state government has formally stood alongside parents in this fight.

What It Means for Parents and Schools

Stakeholder	What Changes
Parents	Greater predictability and fairness in school fees
Schools	Mandated justification for fee increases
Students	Better access to education without financial strain

Schools will now need to justify every fee increment clearly and in writing. Parents must be informed well in advance, avoiding sudden financial surprises.